Associate Commercialization Manager

Utz Brands, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with employer match

Wellness resources

Career growth opportunities

Culture of innovation

Job summary

Utz Brands, Inc. seeks an Associate Commercialization Manager to own end-to-end commercialization projects, including Network Moves, line installations, and value creation initiatives. You will partner across plant ops, quality, engineering, procurement, and finance to deliver on-time, in-scope results.

The role emphasizes project planning, documentation, and cross-functional leadership, with a focus on cost savings and production readiness across the manufacturing network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, food science, marketing or related field.
• 1–3 years in project coordination or PM in manufacturing or a related field.
• Experience with commercialization of food or consumer products is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Apply project management techniques to execute assigned projects and workstreams.
• Lead Network Move projects, coordinating production transitions and timelines.
• Lead plant qualification for new products, formulas, packaging, or processes.
• Lead line installation projects, aligning timing with engineering and operations.
• Lead Value Creation Projects, tracking cost savings with finance and plant teams.
• Create project plans and timelines using MS Project and WBS structures.
• Communicate status, risks, and roadblocks to stakeholders and leadership.
• Maintain project tracking tools and documentation (Smartsheet, reports).
• Partner with Commercialization Managers on cross-functional initiatives.
• Identify process improvements and escalate with management.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

MS Project

Smartsheet

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SpecRight

Job description

At Utz, we're passionate about creating crave-worthy snacks that consumers love. For more than 100 years, we've built iconic brands including Utz®, Zapp's®, Boulder Canyon®, and On The Border®, all while staying true to our entrepreneurial spirit and family-inspired values.

We’re looking for a highly motivated Associate Commercialization Manager to join our Commercialization team. If you're energized by leading projects, solving complex challenges, collaborating across functions, and seeing your work come to life on the production floor, this is the opportunity for you.

The Associate Commercialization Manager owns commercialization and project management delivery for assigned projects focused on Network Moves (transitioning production between internal manufacturing plants and co-manufacturers), qualification of internal plants, line installation projects, and Value Creation Projects (VC). These initiatives directly support the company's manufacturing network strategy and cost savings goals. The Associate Commercialization Manager drives discrete projects and workstreams end-to-end, partnering closely with Commercialization Managers, Sr. Managers, and cross-functional teams across plant operations, quality, engineering, procurement, and finance to deliver results on time and within scope.

What You’ll Do

• Apply sound project management techniques and workflow processes to execute assigned projects and workstreams
• Lead Network Move projects, coordinating the transition of production between internal manufacturing plants and co-manufacturers, including timeline management, documentation, and stakeholder alignment
• Lead qualification of internal plants for new products, formulas, packaging, or processes, including trial coordination, documentation, and follow-through on corrective actions
• Lead line installation projects, aligning timing and information flow across engineering, plant operations, and equipment suppliers
• Lead execution of Value Creation Projects (VC), tracking cost savings milestones and partnering with finance and plant teams to deliver results
• Build project plans and timelines using MS Project and WBS structures to outline objectives, timing, risks, and risk mitigation planning
• Communicate project status, risks, and roadblocks to project stakeholders and leadership, escalating issues as needed
• Maintain project tracking tools and documentation (e.g., Smartsheet, status reports, trackers)
• Partner with Commercialization Managers and Sr. Managers on cross-functional initiatives, building subject-matter expertise in commercialization project management
• Identify and bring forward process improvement opportunities to Manager/Sr. Manager
• Other duties as assigned

What You’ll Bring

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, food science, marketing or other related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• 1-3 years of experience in project coordination, project management, manufacturing, or a related field; relevant internship or co-op experience in CPG or manufacturing will be considered.
• Experience with or exposure to commercialization of food or consumer products is a plus.

Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products and MS Project.
• Ability to organize data into graphs, presentations, and charts.
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Smartsheet, SpecRight, or Power BI is a plus.

Certifications & Licenses

• Formal certification in Project Management (from PMI or equivalent Project Management Association) is a plus.

Why Utz?

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer-matched 401(k) and profit sharing
• Wellness resources, support programs, onsite gym and healthcare center
• Career growth opportunities in a supportive, inclusive environment
• A culture built on innovation, teamwork, and recognition

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.